Leading recruitment firms offers advice to businesses experiencing mounting skills shortages amidst buoyant market conditions

By Jonathan Lee Recruitment
schedule26th Aug 15

Jonathan Lee Recruitment cautions businesses to have robust resource planning and an expert consultative recruitment partner to overcome ongoing skills shortages.

Whilst many companies in the processing and packaging machinery industry have actively embraced buoyant market conditions and opportunities for growth, very few are adequately forward planning for skills, warn experts at Jonathan Lee Recruitment.

During the PPMA Show, Jonathan Lee Recruitment will offer advice on retaining and attracting the skilled professionals that businesses need to grow operations in favourable market conditions, as the current skills shortage is exacerbated by the impending retirement of an aging workforce.

Attracting high-calibre skilled workers can be challenging for any business, but the issue has been particularly critical for automation companies. The UK Commission for Employment and Skills recently reported that employers in the automation sector are nearly twice as likely to have hard-to-fill vacancies, with the demand for technical specialists in mechanical design, development, electrical and control engineering far outstripping supply.

Richard Heaton, Lead Consultant at Jonathan Lee Recruitment, comments: “It’s great to see the processing and packaging machinery industry in such good health. In the last six months alone our automation and robotics division has grown by 50 per cent – reflecting the current market conditions as the industry grows and our client base increases. This is fantastic news for the sector, but it does also create some significant challenges.

“In the continued push to fill order books, businesses often fail to consider the practical implications of maintaining or increasing production levels with the sector facing a growing skills gap, while simultaneously a generation of skilled workers retires. In order to achieve both controlled and sustainable growth, businesses must have a plan in place to ensure that the right people are in the right jobs at the right time.

“At Jonathan Lee Recruitment we offer a partnership approach to our clients. Many of our consultants have worked within industry and possess an in-depth understanding of the skills, experience and attributes required for engineering, manufacturing, technical and commercial roles.  We collaborate with our clients to plan their resource and then offer the specialist recruitment support required to underpin their growth. With a strong understanding of a client’s vision for the future, we are able to provide the very best contract and permanent candidates in a timely fashion.”

Visitors to the prestigious processing and packaging exhibition are invited to visit Jonathan Lee Recruitment’s stand (H64) to discuss how a consultative, added-value approach can help their businesses. To further enhance the offering, David Powers, Aftersales Manager and expert on contractor hiring and working will be offering free advice to visitors to the stand on Tuesday 29th September.

Contracting has become an increasingly popular way of working - unsurprising when considering the widespread skills shortages, rapidly changing market conditions and the many benefits of becoming or utilising a contracted worker. However it is not without its risks and it is important that contracting is managed effectively and professionally for the benefit of both sides. David and his specialist team support contractors on a day-to-day basis advising both employers and temporary workers on contract and legislative issues.

To meet the team from Jonathan Lee Recruitment visit stand No.H64 at the NEC, Birmingham between the 29th September and 1st October 2015. To pre-book an appointment please call 01384 397555.